Reflections+of+5365+Web+Mastering

The following was originally published January 25, 2009 at http://southwestteach.blogspot.com/2009/01/must-visit-website.html You must visit the website [|www.eutopia.org]! This website is a great resource for kindergraten through twelfth grade campus’ to use to find information on ideal interactive learning environments for the 21st century learner. One of the visions of the founder, George Lucas, is for public schools to have the same access to invaluable technology as universities and businesses.
 * Reflections of Web Sites for 5365**

What is unique about this website is it provides information and real life examples on six core concepts: integrated studies, project learning, social and emotional learning, technology integration, teacher development and assessment. There are real life videos that can provide ways teachers can facilitate students to have higher order thinking skills without having to sit in professional development. The website takes into account //how// teachers learn. It is an interesting way to see what is happening in other classrooms around the country rather than hearing or reading about it.

It was most helpful that within each core concept there is a link that provides ways to learn more about how each concept can be integrated using technology. This website has a plethora of information; if you’re not looking to see how technology can be integrated you might miss some of the videos and articles. At the bottom of each core concept there is a search tool. Simply type in technology and up pops articles and videos on how technology is integrated within each concept. I would recommend this website to all educators wanting to grow with the 21st century learner.


 * Reflections of 5365 Web Mastering**

I learned that my district’s current Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) needed to be updated for the use of new web 2.0 tools. The AUP I was required to create on Google Docs included standards that were up to par for the 21st century learner. During this course I also learned how to complete a website inventory, how to work with my own HTML, and how to use a content management site such as NewSchoolSpaces. NewSchoolSpaces was not easy to manipulate. It seemed as though the program was new and the kinks had not been worked out yet. During the Web Mastering course we discussed the legal, ethical and security items that needed to be reviewed when creating an AUP. We also used Step by Step Planner by Keith Reitchley to plan our on timeline and then we turned it into Movie Maker. This was one of my favorite assignments. The use of the website decoder Amaya was used to find our website contents. The HTML created HTML had to pass validation. There were few if any interactions with colleagues. I had no puzzling questions.
 * Knowledge Gained**